George Mason University Top Questions

There are a lot of classes that are lectures, but thats to be expected with a school this big. I dont like some of the teachers, some just don't seem to care at all. its like its just a job to them.

My experience with academics at Mason has been all in all a good one. My sophomore and junior classes have been relatively small. Ive only had two classes with over 50 people. As for classes, im a history major so thats the only department i can really speak for. MY teachers have been really good. Ive really enjoyed my classes and and most of my teachers teaching style. If you are looking tobe ahistory major then you will definitely be in good hands with masons professors. In my classes participation is actually really common. Thetre is a lot of talking back and forth with the teacher and with other students. My professors have always been good about meeting out of class if a student need to. Some of the problems i do have with acadmeics is the gen ed requirements and the class schedules. I was required to take 4 classes of spanish for my history major. I found that crazyy. I mean it was almost like just random majors were picked to have language requirements, thats one thing that made me really angry, especially since the spanish dept at mason isnt the best. As for class schedules...ok in a school of over 30,000 students it just seems like they should think more clearly when making the class schedule. There just dont seem to be enough classes and DEFINITELY not enough class times. All the classes seem to be at the same time, hmm cant take 5 classes at the same time now can you?

Most classes that are under 35 people take role, I think taking role is not right.

The university itself is actually decent good academically, especially if you enter it with the intentions of getting a quality education and pushing yourself. Also, most of the faculty has a lot of real-world experience that is meaningful in a classroom. The university is also constantly improving its academic status, and it is really trying to make a bigger name for itself. Unfortunately, a lot of the student population does reflect the stereotype. However, there is a wide spectrum of students at Mason, so you'll find a lot of intelligent and driven people here as well.

The academic experience at GMU varies greatly from class to class. I have found that some classes are very interactive, and others are like the stereotypical professor who doesn't give a damn. However, almost all are willing to answer questions and help students out during their office hours. My major, physics, has so far not had very good professors or well, maybe they were good, but have not taught in a learning style that I am receptive to.

I love the academics at Mason. Though Mason may not be an Ivy League university, there are certainly advanced/honors courses individuals can take if they want a little extra challenge. You can also take classes at any university in the area that is a part of the Consortium (those include Georgetown, George Washington, Marymount, American University, etc.); this a great program that not many students take advantage of.

Professors do know my name because I had smaller class settings because of NCC. Next year I will be in larger classes. Students are competitive and we do discuss what we have learned in class and share it with other people like our friends. I do not spend much time with my professors outside of class. The only time that I do is to ask them a question during their office hours. Learning at Mason, I feel, is geared to getting a job first and foremost and than about the learning for itself.

I would say that GMU is geared toward getting students jobs in their field of study. All departmental professors know the students names and get to know their situations and keep a close eye on their education. General education class teachers know that their classes are not top priority and give students their space. However, class participation is usually a must in all classes.

My favorite class would have had to been Communications 101. My teacher was great and let us participate in a lot of hands on activities.

No the professors forget about me after I leave there class. I'm a straight A, B+ student and have never had a real great experience with the students here. The students are competitive to the degree that they have to prove themselves and prove that they are better than their own race. I think its pretty ridiculous that I have to take and pass an intermediate level course just so I can graduate, but I have to take the class that Mason approves of. At the last college I attended, I met that requirement withh flying colors, but coming to Mason I was told that Mason goes above and beyond every other university. I was also told my transfer credit was shit and I would need to take a whole other class. Woohoo!